Old age is sort of like early adolescence in reverse. You pass mileposts of diminishing physical abilities. One may have accumulated knowledge but some of that seems to vanish permanently or cannot be recalled on demand.
Activities that one relished are abandoned as weakness makes them untenable. So one relies on activities such as writing diary blogs to pass on to friends and kinfolks to read and ponder and relate to depending on their stage of life understanding. There is a slight sadness from realizing that there is no respite from a process that will continue until it ends abruptly or one just fades away as the legendary Cheshire Cat.
Yesterday, daughter Cathy visited us for her almost weekly Sunday. She brings a bright smile that lightens Lib's and my spirit. She is a skilled negotiator, had this talent from early childhood and sold us the idea that we should move here from Roanoke where she could keep an eye on us. SO GLAD SHE DID! Lib and I feel comfortable that she and her elder sister will do what is feasible when either Lib or I pass on.
I think about her situation, though. Jeff and Cathy only had one son, who just graduated from college and had moved 2 hours away. When she reaches our age who will take care of her? Children have the best of intentions but often cannot fulfill filial obligations. These duties often fall on females to accomplish. Time moves inexorably on with its opportunities or takes away. A new reality creeps into lives and we are swept along with the current. In my old age I feel fortunate to have had an unbelievable set of coincidences that allowed me to have a joyful and fulfilling life. My only wish is the disappointment that once again humanity has allowed its leaders to war against their brother man. History and their own military annals show that once a world war gets going no one can truly project its course except death, misery, and degradation. We don't live in poverty and ignorance. The world's knowledge is available at our fingertips. We should be able to equitably share the benefits of this largess, yet we insist on the barbarism of war. Why?
Well enough of this ranting of an old man. Blessings to whoever may benefit.
